October 2024
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As per the World Heart Federation report, cardiovascular diseases impact over 500 million people globally, leading to 20.5 million deaths in 2021. The growing importance of digital twins in cardiovascular care highlights their potential to revolutionize the industry by providing more accurate diagnoses.
A digital twin is a sophisticated concept that combines various technological advancements to create a virtual counterpart of a physical object or system. In this context, it's mainly applied to healthcare. The process begins by outfitting the physical object with sensors, such as a part of the human body or a medical device. These sensors continuously collect data on temperature, energy output, and other vital performance metrics.
This data is then sent to a processing system where it's applied to the digital twin. Now enriched with real-time data, the virtual model becomes a powerful tool for running simulations and conducting in-depth performance analyses. It goes beyond a static representation and becomes a dynamic entity that evolves based on the incoming data. Integrating big data, cloud computing, virtual reality, and IoT facilitates the creation and operation of such digital twins in healthcare. Researchers and engineers are actively exploring the potential of digital twins in healthcare, expanding the initial definition to include digital replications relevant to human health.
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The technology supporting digital twins is multifaceted. It includes statistical models driven by data, where algorithms process and analyze large datasets and mechanical models that integrate knowledge across different scales. Artificial intelligence (AI) models, trained with samples and numerical data, are crucial in obtaining real-time structural performance insights from sensor data. The application of digital twins in healthcare holds immense potential. Healthcare professionals can optimize diagnostics and treatments by treating patients as virtual assets. The technology is not confined to a single patient but can extend to entire healthcare organizations, enhancing strategic asset management.
The global market for digital twin technology is experiencing a surge, revolutionizing various industries, with healthcare being a significant beneficiary. However, challenges persist in the widespread adoption of digital twins in digital healthcare. Overcoming data privacy, interoperability, and standardization issues is essential for unlocking this transformative technology's full potential in the medical field. As digital twin technology continues to evolve, it presents numerous opportunities for advancing medicine, but collaboration and addressing existing challenges are crucial for its seamless integration into healthcare systems worldwide.
Digital twin technology is reshaping various industries, effectively enhancing efficiency and issue detection for significant companies. Extending its transformative potential, healthcare emerges as a promising domain for applying DT. In practical terms, DT can be viewed as a tool treating patients as virtualized standalone assets, applicable in diverse environments involving multiple interconnected strategic assets within healthcare organizations. This approach holds significant promise for patients and hospitals, offering improvements in treatment methodologies and diagnostic processes. The primary goal of this study is to conduct a comprehensive review of the advancements in DT technology within the medical field. The focus is on exploring potential applications, identifying future opportunities and addressing the challenges in digital healthcare.
Digital twin technology is revolutionizing the field of cardiovascular healthcare by enabling the creation of highly accurate heart models for precise diagnosis and treatment. These digital replicas are pivotal in identifying crucial diagnostic criteria and inferring biomarkers through non-invasive procedures. The success of DT-guided diagnosis hinges on constructing personalized models that customize the approach to individual patients.
The advancement is in the computation of pressure drops in flow obstruction, where the personalized DT approach has proven to be more effective than traditional clinical guidelines. This innovation enhances the accuracy of diagnosis, allowing for more targeted and efficient treatment strategies.
The global market for digital twin technology in healthcare is experiencing substantial growth, driven by these groundbreaking advancements. The increasing significance of DT in cardiovascular care underscores its potential to transform the industry by offering more accurate diagnoses, personalized treatment plans and improved patient outcomes. As these technologies continue to evolve, integrating digital twins into routine clinical practice will likely become more prevalent, shaping the future of cardiovascular healthcare.
The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked widespread interest in the modelling and simulating infectious diseases. Transmission of coronaviruses primarily occurs through respiratory droplets during person-to-person contact, mainly through coughing or sneezing. Zohdi has innovatively crafted a computationally efficient respiratory emission model, integrating a combined digital twin technology and a machine learning approach. This framework, employing a genomic algorithm and simplified equations, optimizes ventilation systems by determining multiple units' strategic placement and flow rates. The aim is to effectively contain and sequester particles released during coughing or sneezing, thus mitigating the spread of the virus.
Additionally, the government introduced a DT system for the vaccination process in response to the urgent need to vaccinate a larger population in a shorter timeframe, mainly when healthcare resources are limited. This system has undergone clinic testing and enables real-time patient simulation, creating a dynamic virtual vaccination centre. The virtual model allows for identifying and resolving issues within the actual system, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of the vaccination process. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a noticeable surge in the adoption of digital twin technology across various applications, as these technologies play a crucial role in addressing challenges posed by the pandemic and optimizing processes for better outcomes in healthcare.
Data privacy concerns in the healthcare digital twin market stem from the inherently sensitive nature of health information. One primary aspect involves the creation of virtual representations of real-world patients through healthcare digital twins, encompassing detailed medical histories and treatment plans. The potential exposure of such intricate personal health data raises apprehensions regarding unauthorized access, identity theft, and misuse. Regulatory compliance poses a significant challenge for healthcare providers utilizing digital twin technologies. Adherence to strict data protection regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States or the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe, becomes crucial. Failure to comply may result in legal consequences and penalties, amplifying concerns within the industry.
The digital nature of healthcare twin systems introduces cybersecurity risks, making them susceptible to unauthorized access, data breaches, or ransomware attacks. While implementing robust cybersecurity measures is imperative for mitigating these risks, it simultaneously adds complexity and cost to developing and maintaining digital twin systems. Patient trust is pivotal in the widespread adoption of digital twin technologies. Hesitancy among patients may arise if confidence in the security and privacy measures is lacking. Establishing and maintaining trust becomes paramount, as any perceived or actual privacy breaches can undermine confidence in these innovative healthcare solutions. The interconnected ecosystem within healthcare, necessary for digital twins to provide a comprehensive view of patient health, introduces challenges related to secure data exchange. The interconnected nature of healthcare systems increases potential points of vulnerability, necessitating robust security protocols across the entire ecosystem.
Mitigating data privacy concerns in healthcare digital twin systems requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach. This includes implementing robust security measures, ensuring regulatory compliance, transparent patient communication, and ongoing efforts to stay ahead of evolving cybersecurity threats.
The field of medicine is poised for a significant increase in studies exploring the application of digital twins, driven by advancements in DT technology and the evolution of the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and artificial intelligence (AI). DTs, ideally, emerge as a solution for precision medicine, requiring the seamless integration and processing of large volumes of data. Additionally, The IoT plays a crucial role by offering technical support for comprehensive physical entity perception through data collection methods like 2D codes, data acquisition cards and sensors. These methods enable real-time data collection, allowing feedback on processed data to optimize models and regulate operations through communication technology. A future vision includes individuals having their DTs. Combining the DTs of medical equipment and medical auxiliary equipment creates a new platform for personal health management and healthcare services. Moreover, adopting DTs and big data processing enables simulations with high-resolution patient models, facilitating the identification of precise treatment targets and suitable drugs or methods for achieving precision medical treatment.
As this technology landscape continues to evolve, establishing DTs within hospitals or specific departments facilitates efficient management of medical resources and the planning of demand-oriented medical activities. The application process of DTs in medicine, not only addresses current challenges but envisions future possibilities. Consequently, the global market for DTs in healthcare is expected to substantially increase due to their transformative impact on medical practices and services.
Chronic diseases, characterized by their prolonged duration, high incidence rates, and diverse nature, pose significant challenges in terms of treatment. This is particularly pronounced among seniors who often have frail bodies, impaired memory, and limited knowledge about medical treatments. Consequently, seniors require increased care and community medical services to address their real-time monitoring needs, provide medical guidance, and offer crisis warnings. A healthcare service platform can leverage digital twin modelling based on seniors’ physiological parameters. By utilizing wearable devices and mobile phones, real-time health data from seniors can be collected, allowing for the timely calculation and analysis of potential abnormal conditions, leading to effective crisis warnings. The integration of DT proves particularly beneficial in supporting the care of chronic diseases prevalent in the elderly, such as dementia. This approach enhances precision and personalization in healthcare services.
Digital twins are gradually making their way into healthcare, and 3D-printed prosthetics are ideal for this new technology. You could have a digital twin of your prosthetic limb continually learning and evolving alongside your real one to provide a more personalised and optimised experience. Furthermore, the DT model can receive information about treatment methods and drugs, facilitating verification to optimize treatment plans and ultimately achieve early diagnosis or disease prevention in seniors. This transformative technology will track an individual’s life journey, utilizing data from wearable sensors and lifestyle information provided by the individual. This shift from clinical medicine to preventive medicine exemplifies the potential of DT in revolutionizing healthcare approaches.
The global market for health monitoring solutions is on the rise, driven by the increasing recognition of the transformative impact of digital twins in addressing the unique challenges of chronic diseases, especially among the elderly. As healthcare providers and technology companies continue to innovate in this space, the adoption of DT for health monitoring is expected to witness significant growth, ushering in a new era of precision and personalized healthcare services.
Hospitals leverage digital twins to manage resources effectively, a critical need exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, Mater Private Hospital’s radiology department utilized a DT to make predictions and test scenarios. The hospital successfully reduced patient waiting times and enhanced efficiency by adapting plans based on DT insights. This success has prompted the broader adoption of DTs across various hospital departments.
Consider the doctor’s visit schedule, which can now be adjusted dynamically based on outpatient flow, optimizing resource allocation. Additionally, DTs help predict equipment failures, enabling timely repairs to minimize errors and reduce hospital losses. Beyond operational improvements, virtual human body simulations DTs provide valuable tools for training medical staff. This not only enhances medical skills but also improves treatment success rates and elevates the overall teaching standards of the hospital. This transformative application of DTs in hospital management contributes to tremendous growth in the segment market. The ability to predict, optimize, and improve various aspects of hospital operations underscores the importance of DTs in enhancing healthcare efficiency and patient outcomes. As more healthcare facilities recognize these advantages, the adoption of DTs in hospital settings is expected to witness significant expansion globally.
In 2022, North America took the lead in the market. Factors like the widespread adoption of digital and automation solutions within healthcare facilities propel the region’s market growth. They are contributing to the technology’s increased adoption. Additionally, the availability of robust digital infrastructure, driven by substantial funding and supportive government initiatives, is a crucial factor expected to fuel the demand for this technology in the region.
In Asia Pacific, the growth is attributed to increasing investments in AI-based technology from venture capitalists, private investors, and non-profit organizations. The region is also witnessing a surge in Internet of Things (IoT) penetration, with 30.3% of these devices used in healthcare applications. This includes a diverse range of applications, from ensuring the security of personal records to facilitating portable health monitoring, further contributing to the escalating demand for these technologies in the healthcare sector within the Asia Pacific region. The Rising prevalence of Cardiovascular Diseases in the Asia-Pacific region has spurred an increased demand for digital twin technologies to enhance the monitoring and managing these health conditions.
The competitive landscape of the healthcare digital twins market is estimated to experience heightened competition due to innovative product offerings from key players and the entry of new market participants, including an increasing number of startups. This surge in competition has significantly contributed to the overall market growth. Regulatory norms and supportive government initiatives to advance digital health solutions also influence the competitive dynamics. Key players in the market are implementing various strategic measures such as mergers & acquisitions, collaborations, partnerships, and alliances to fortify their geographical presence and broaden their customer base. As a result, the global market is witnessing significant growth, driven by these evolving trends and the collective efforts of industry players to advance digital health technologies. The market's upward trajectory indicates the increasing importance and adoption of digital twins in revolutionizing healthcare practices worldwide.
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October 2024
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Deepa has certified the degree of Master’s in Pharmacy in the Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance department from Dr D.Y. Patil College of Pharmacy. Her research is focused on the healthcare industry. She is the author or co-author of four Review Articles, which include Solid dispersion a strategic method for poorly soluble drugs and solubility improvement techniques for poorly soluble drugs, Herbal Drugs Used In Treatment Of Cataracts, Nano sponges And Their Application in Cancer Prevention and Ayurvedic Remedies of Peptic ulcer. She has also published a Research Article on the Formulation and Evaluation of Mucoadhesive Tablets of Miconazole cocrystal which was published in GIS Science Journal Volume 9 Issue 8. Her passion for secondary research and desire to take on the challenge of solving unresolved issues is making her flourish is the in the research sector.